The Future of Water
Bluefield Research
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Bluefield Research’s podcast series breaks down the key events that are signaling change across the global water landscape. The Future of Water series is a source of critical insights into company strategies, market shifts, and emerging opportunities for stakeholders across the water industry.
This business-focused podcast series, released twice monthly, is presented by Reese Tisdale and Bluefield's team of water experts, who are willing to share their ongoing analysis about all the ways in which companies, utilities, and people are addressing the challenges and opportunities in water.
To learn more about Bluefield Research visit: www.bluefieldresearch.com.
Contact us at podcasts@bluefieldresearch.com with any topic suggestions or requests for information.
Available episodes
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Oldest first
Nov 27, 2023
From City to City, Why Are Water Utility Rates So Variable?
The Future of Water Podcast host, Reese Tisdale, and Senior Water Analyst Charlie Suse, discuss findings and takeaways from Bluefield's Water & Sewer Rate Index, published earlier this month.
Over the past 12 years, combined household water and sewer bills for a typical U.S. household has increased by a total of 56.2%, or an average of 4.2% each year. From 2022 to 2023, combined household water and sewer bills increased by 3.9%, down slightly from the 5.2% increase observed from 2021 to 2022.
On a whole, water and wastewater rates are fairly stable, not changing dramatically from year-to-year. But, from city to city, there is some variation.
This episode is a discussion of water rates across some of the largest utilities in the U.S., uncovering the broader trends year-on-year and causes for rate volatility at the local level. Reese Tisdale and Charlie Suse hit on trends in water rates, drivers behind water rate fluctuation, and break down some of the hidden costs in your water bill.
If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen.
If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday.
Related Research & Analysis:
* U.S. Municipal Water & Sewer: Annual Utility Rate Index, 2023
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Nov 15, 2023
What’s Behind the Decline in the Water Utility Workforce?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has reported that employment of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is projected to decline 6% from 2022 to 2032. This news shines the spotlight on a critical infrastructure sector that faces mounting challenges, from aging infrastructure assets to emerging contaminants (i.e., PFAS).
As water and wastewater treatment plants become more advanced with automated systems to manage treatment processes, fewer workers may be needed.
In today’s episode, Reese Tisdale is joined by Senior Research Director Eric Bindler, who notes that while some work can be automated, plants will still need skilled workers to operate increasingly complex controls and water and wastewater systems. The overall water industry BLS data shows pretty steady growth of around 1.5% for the past decade and a half.
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If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen.
If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday.
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Oct 31, 2023
Are Take-Private Water Deals on the Rise?
Two Montreal-based firms have been recently taken private. On 2 October 2023, Ember Infrastructure announced it would acquire H2O Innovation Inc., a Canadian water solutions provider. A few weeks later, LOGISTEC entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by private equity firm Blue Wolf Capital Partners and infrastructure investment firm Stonepeak. The LOGISTEC acquisition, one of seven “take-private” water deals tracked this year, highlights the increasing role of private equity in water.
Given the large size of these deals, and the flow from public to private, Bluefield water experts discuss the takeaways from these deals. The conversation includes points in how broader sector trends are impacting Water M&A deal flow, and how private equity players are emerging as key players across the water sector.
Podcast host, Reese Tisdale, and Senior Analyst Ethan Edwards talk through the deals and emerging trends in water M&A.
If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen.
If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday.
Related Research & Analysis:
* Global Water Deal Flow: A Look at 2023 Water M&A, Leading Companies, and Market Outlook for 2024
* H2O Innovation Builds Water Utility Service Portfolio via M&A
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Oct 9, 2023
Saltwater Intrusion In Drinking Water Is More Common Than You May Realize. What Are the Mitigation Options?
What is saltwater intrusion and how common is it? The city of New Orleans has been faced with a national emergency as a saltwater wedge had been expected to reach the area impacting the drinking water supply of 1.2 million people. If contaminated, it could be weeks or months before freshwater returns, unless there is significant rainfall, leaders say.
Most coastal regions are always under the threat of saline intrusion and, in fact, many prominent, high-population regions are facing this issue long-term. In this special episode, Bluefield's water experts discuss the what, how, and why of saltwater intrusion, the role of climate change and the global outlook, and breakdown possible mitigation options.
The Future of Water podcast host, Reese Tisdale, invites Bluefield's Senior Research Director Greg Goodwin to talk through the event and potential opportunities for change.
If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven't already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen.
If you'd like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday.
Related Research & Analysis
* Water Reuse Gains Toehold in New York State
* U.S. Municipal Wastewater Reuse: Project Pipeline Segmentation & Analysis, 2018-2030
* U.S. Water Reuse Project Data
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Sep 19, 2023
How Are Water Utilities Prioritizing Infrastructure Spend and Outsourcing Strategies?
Taking a different approach on this episode, Reese Tisdale flies solo and shares some perspectives from recent analysis presented to clients by Bluefield Research's team of water experts. Three areas of discussion in this episode:
* Utility Capital Improvement Plans: Bluefield’s team of water experts has dedicated significant time and resources to supporting companies with bottom-up data collection and analysis of the capital improvement plans (CIPs) of 763 large and mid-sized water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities across the U.S. and Canada.
* Third Party O&M: Private participation in water & wastewater takes many forms, from system ownership and concessions to third-party operations & maintenance (O&M) contracts. Enabled by lower barriers to entry across a fragmented addressable market, third-party O&M providers represent the bulk of private participation in the U.S.
* Oldcastle Cements Digital Water Strategy via Partnerships and M&A: On 1 August 2023, Oldcastle Infrastructure and FIDO Tech announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the U.S. market entry of FIDO’s artificial intelligence (AI)- powered leak detection software. This partnership is the latest in a series of recent maneuvers by Oldcastle to gain a foothold in the digital water solutions market.
If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen.
If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday.
Related Research & Analysis
* U.S. & Canada Municipal Utility Capital Improvement Plans, 2023–2031
* Third-Party O&M for U.S. Water & Wastewater Utilities
* Oldcastle Cements Digital Water Strategy via Partnerships and M&A
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Sep 5, 2023
Aegion Adds More Deals to the List
The Future of Water host, Reese Tisdale, talks with Bluefield's Senior Analyst Ethan Edwards about the Aegion deal, M&A, and the trenchless pipe rehabilitation market.
In this episode, the Bluefield team dives into Aegion's acquisition of Portland Utilities Construction Company (PUCC), a trenchless service provider specializing in cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) and pipe bursting. PUCC serves the municipal market in Texas and the southeastern U.S. PUCC is Aegion’s sixth deal since 2021 and has significant market share in CIPP.
Aegion has also acquired Infraspec Services, their first foray into the Canadian lead pipeline replacement market, noting a move into lead service line replacement. Momentum continues to build for lead pipe replacement in the U.S., with the federal government channeling up to US$11.9 billion toward replacements in 2023.
If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen.
If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday.
Related Research & Analysis
* Aegion Expands Water Pipeline Services via M&A
* Aegion, Big Water Deals on the Menu for Outsiders
* U.S. Trenchless Market Matures Amidst Water Market Shifts: Forecasts, Competitive Positioning, and Key Trends, 2022–2030
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Aug 8, 2023
Grundfos Goes Deeper Into Digital Water
Danish pump manufacturer Grundfos has recently acquired U.K.-based telemetry and analytics firm Metasphere from private equity investor XPV Water Partners. Grundfos has in recent years, expanded its footprint from its core pump offerings for water network management and treatment toward digital offerings.
Metasphere’s specific experience with wastewater networks especially in the U.K. and Australia, will extend Grundfos’ portfolio beyond pumps and deeper into network monitoring and operations. As Grundfos is integrating not only digital solutions but also hardware solutions, the company is strengthening and expanding their offerings to water network customers such as utilities.
In this episode, host, Reese Tisdale, and Bluefield's Digital Water Analyst Christine Ow discuss the acquisition and what it might mean for digital solutions in water.
If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen.
If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday.
Related Research & Analysis
* Grundfos Accelerates Digital Water Growth via Metasphere Acquisition
* XPV Increases Exposure to Digital Water with Metasphere Buyout
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Jul 25, 2023
Water Reuse Builds Momentum in Europe
In Europe, the need for sustainable water management solutions has been magnified by last summer’s drought and record-breaking temperatures. The increasing severity of water stress remains a key driver behind the implementation of wastewater reuse. Particularly, in Southern Europe where water stress is more pronounced, the reuse market has witnessed greater development, although with challenges associated with funding and regulations.
As a consequence, some Mediterranean countries have become notable leaders in the adoption of reuse projects, mainly focused on facilitating agricultural irrigation, and to a lesser extent irrigation of landscapes and recreational areas.
In this episode, The Future of Water host, Reese Tisdale, is joined by Bluefield analysts Chloé Meyer, Zineb Moumen, and Ethan Edwards to discuss the research methodology behind their latest analysis of Europe's municipal wastewater reuse market.
Key talking points:
* How is the EU policy landscape changing?
* Which countries are driving wastewater reuse in Europe?
* A look at market attractiveness by country
* What is the size of the market?
Bonus Content: Reese brings in Bluefield Senior Analyst Ethan Edwards to discuss his analysis of the 3M PFAS settlement. While there has been a fair amount of analysis on how utilities will address PFAS and emerging contaminants, the 3M settlement is a path to targeting the production source.
As discussed, Bluefield’s updated PFAS remediation forecast estimates that drinking water utilities will spend a total of nearly US$13.5 billion between 2023 – 2030, up from a previously forecasted total of US$6 billion because of pending EPA guidlines and the legal settlements.
If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen.
If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday.
* Europe Municipal Wastewater Reuse: Market Trends and Forecasts, 2023–2030
* Europe Municipal Wastewater Reuse: Business Models and Competitive Trends
* 3M Windfall for PFAS Impacted Water Systems
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Jul 11, 2023
How Real Is the Thames Water Crisis?
The potential collapse of Thames Water is all over the news and has raised alarm bells on many fronts. Thames Water serves approximately 15 million people across greater London. Not a small system by any comparison, and it seems to be sinking under a £14 billion debt load, thereby requiring more money.
In this episode, Bluefield's water experts shed some light on what has led up to this crisis and discuss best possible steps for Thames Water's debt problem.
Bluefield co-founders Reese Tisdale and Keith Hays shed light on the state of the U.K. municipal water market, the country's regulator Ofwat, and private players in the fully privatized utility market.
* It’s All about the Data. Are Remote Monitoring and IoT Solutions the Key to Addressing Water Infrastructure Issues?
* Thames Water Penalized £8.6 million as Leakage Skyrockets
* Ofwat Challenges UK Water Utilities to Evolve
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Jun 20, 2023
A Review of the State of the Water Industry
Both the American Water Works Association and Black & Veatch have released their 2023 industry surveys of the water market. In recent weeks both the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and Black & Veatch released their industry surveys of the market. We thought it might be interesting to dig in a bit, and share Bluefield perspectives.
Bluefield's water experts discuss the survey findings and breakdown the top water industry issues: aging water infrastructure, supply chain challenges, cybersecurity, financing capital improvements, climate change, pollution. How did these industry issues rank? Were there any surprises? and which issues moved up in rankings from last year?
Bonus Content
For those not in the know, Charlie Suse, an analyst at Bluefield, has been taking some deep dives into water management in Latin America. Most recently, he produced research on Brazil’s private water landscape- Competitive positioning and market trends. Because it is hot in his mind and about to be released, I thought it would be good to tap Charlie’s brain for a couple takeaways.
Reese Tisdale is joined by Bluefield's Eric Bindler and Charlie Suse.
Related Research & Analysis
* Brazil’s Private Water Landscape: Key Policies, Competitive Positioning, and Market Trends
* Private Water Awards Signal Growth in Brazil
* Brazil Private Water Market Surges: Tender Analysis, Competitive Positioning, and Water Market Trends
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Jun 6, 2023
What's the Addressable Market for Water Utility Consolidation?
There are over 72,000 community water systems and wastewater treatment facilities in the U.S. But what is the addressable market opportunity for water and wastewater for utilities and investors? And how do the opportunities vary by utility ownership, system size, and state?
Our clients have been asking Bluefield to size the municipal water and wastewater sectors to help support their market entry, investment, and consolidation strategies. In this case, the magic number is US$977 billion. What's behind that number and how does the opportunity vary by water and wastewater?
Listen to this episode to learn more about sizing the market for utility consolidation opportunities. Reese Tisdale is joined by Isabel Kezman to discuss her recent in-depth data analysis of the U.S. municipal water sector.
Related Research & Analysis
* Total Addressable Market for Water & Wastewater Utilities: U.S. Benchmarks for Owner Market Share and Consolidation Opportunities
* Opportunities in the U.S. Pr…
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May 23, 2023
What's Behind Engineering Firms' Strategy Shifts in Water?
Jacobs, one of the leading engineering firms in water, announced plans to spinout its Critical Mission Solutions business unit. With this move, the company streamlines their business focus, including on water, and boosts share price in the wake of higher margins and growth.
On 9 May, Jacobs announced plans to separate its CMS, or Critical Mission Solutions, business. In doing so, it aims to carve out two businesses that are demonstrating different margins and growth rates.
CMS, which generated approximately $4.4 billion in revenue in 2022 by providing technical consulting, applied science research, training, intelligent asset management and program management services to federal government agencies. This includes space, national security, nuclear remediation and 5G technology.
The remaining Jacobs business, which generated approximately $10.5 billion in 2022, will provide consulting, planning, engineering, design and program management solutions to state, local and national go…
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May 2, 2023
Will Semiconductor Boom Drive Water Market Opportunities?
The semiconductor market is a buzz with activity as high demand—primarily driven by consumer electronics and automotive sectors—and policy, namely the U.S. and the EU Chips Acts, come together to create a favorable environment for billion dollar investments for new semiconductor manufacturing plants.
In the wake of global supply chain bottlenecks, semiconductor manufacturers are accelerating production to meet chip quotas. The US$573 billion semiconductor industry is expected to exceed US$1 trillion by 2030, primarily driven by soaring demand from the consumer electronics and automotive sectors.
Bluefield's water experts discuss where the investments are happening, globally, and what does it mean for water usage and water sector opportunities.
Reese Tisdale speaks with Bluefield's Amber Walsh about the policy impacts on water management for semiconductor facilities.
Related Research & Analysis
* Water for Semiconductors: Market Trends and Forecasts, 2023–2030
* Semicon…
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Apr 18, 2023
EU Regulators Ramp Up PFAS Action for Drinking Water, Biosolids
Bluefield's water experts discuss the European Chemical Agency's (ECHA) recent launch of a six-month evaluation to review a proposal for restricting the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The proposal, submitted by the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, is representative of public concerns that are escalating in the EU and applies to both the production and use of PFAS in products, including those that are imported into the European Union. The initiative signals the next step toward tighter regulatory enforcement of these contaminants of emerging concern on the continent.
Out of Europe, Chloe Meyer joins Reese Tisdale talk about EU policies for PFAS and emerging challenges across the region.
Related Research & Analysis
* Europe to Ramp Up PFAS Water Regulations
* Efforts to Rein in PFAS in Drinking Water Expand
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Apr 4, 2023
A Perfect Storm: Tribal Infrastructure Investment, Western Water, and the U.S. Supreme Court
On 20 March 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments of Arizona v. Navajo Nation, a dispute over Colorado River water rights. The court’s decision could have significant implications for the water rights of Tribes across the country. Navajo Nation is one of the Indian Health Service (IHS) administrative areas with the greatest need for water and wastewater infrastructure construction and rehabilitation.
Recent federal funding outlays—including the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the US$1.7 trillion OMNIBUS bill passed in December 2022— have given the IHS historically high levels of access to federal funding. The allocations aim to address long standing deficiencies in drinking water and sewer infrastructure for tribal communities.
The combination of increased available funding and extreme water stress in the Colorado River basin presents a market opportunity over the next five to eight years through municipal water and sewer construction and reh…
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Mar 21, 2023
Digital Disruption In The Century-old Water Metering Market
The global water metering market is at an inflection point, as a host of new digitally enabled technologies and business models transform global water utilities’ relationships with their meters and meter providers. Metering vendors face a host of macroeconomic, regulatory, and competitive shifts.
COVID-related supply chain disruptions and component shortages have roiled the sector, delaying projects and new product development even as post-pandemic stimulus funding drives record levels of meter market demand.
Reese Tisdale talks to Bluefield’s Eric Bindler about competitive trends, notable shifts in the market, and the global water forecast across 45 countries.
Rest Tisdale is lined by Sr. Research Director Eric Bindler to cover the wide-sweeping digital disruption in the water sector.
Related Research & Analysis
* The Global Water Metering Landscape: Technology Shifts, Competitive Strategies, and Market Outlook
* Amazon Expands Sidewalk, Water Products
* Badger Me…
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Feb 28, 2023
IOU Acquisition Trends: States & Buyers to Watch and Deal Drivers
Charlie Suse's year-end analysis of investor owned utilities has revealed a stabilization of M&A activity among IOUs, with a notable decrease in 2022 compared to the previous year. During this time period, Texas has emerged as a major hub for such acquisitions, and there was a significant rise in fair market value (FMV) deals, indicating a streamlining of the regulatory process.
Key questions asked, include:
* What were the most active states for IOU acquisitions in 2022?
* Who were the most aggressive buyers in the IOU space in 2022?
* How are FMV policies impacting the characteristics of IOU deals?
* Can you tell us about the community in Arizona that has lost its water supply and how it relates to investor-owned utilities?
Reese Tisdale is joined by Private Water Analyst Charlie Suse to break down investor-owned utility M&A trends and opportunities in the water sector.
Related Research & Analysis
* U.S. Private Water: Key Trends, M&A Activity, and Market Outlook, Q…
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Feb 14, 2023
The EU's Sweeping Push for Corporate Sustainability
Bluefield's Amber Walsh has been examining corporate sustainability, specifically focusing on how companies minimize their environmental impact, particularly in relation to their water footprint. While climate and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have traditionally been the primary focus of sustainability, water issues are gaining attention due to their financial implications and public pressure, which can affect brand perception. Policy mandates, such as those requiring reporting, are seen as a driving force for companies to address water-related risks.
The new EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is discussed, highlighting its significance in increasing the transparency of corporate environmental footprints. This directive expands the scope of companies subject to sustainability reporting and standardizes the process across the EU.
The discussion also touched on how increased reporting leads to more water management projects and opportunities for third-party provide…
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Jan 31, 2023
Xylem + Evoqua = What Does It Mean for the Water Industry?
On 24 January 2023, US-based Xylem Inc. and Evoqua announced an agreement in which Xylem will acquire Evoqua in an all-stock transaction for an enterprise value of approximately US$7.5 billion. The combination unlocks potential growth opportunities for Xylem in industrial markets and in water quality, both of which are stronger markets for Evoqua.
Pure-play water deals of this size in the water sector are infrequent, at best. Bluefield's water experts break down the terms of the deal and analyze the benefits for Xylem, possible market signals, and integration challenges for employees and customers.
Bluefield's Reese Tisdale, Keith Hays, and Ethan Edwards walk through the details, including competitive impacts and reasons for the deal.
Related Research & Analysis
* Xylem Expands Water Market Reach via Evoqua
* Idrica Tapped to Integrate Xylem Digital Water Portfolio
* Evoqua Hangs its Hat on Industrial Water
* Evoqua Strategy Breakdown: Rebuilding a Water Solutio…
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Jan 17, 2023
IIJA: Water Funding and Policy Developments
How are IIJA legislated funds unfolding? From California to Maine, total announced funding associated with the legislation had reached US$186.3 billion. Of this total, US$10.5 billion has been announced for water-designated projects. At the same time, the U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water has released implementation guidelines for the Build America, Buy America (BABA) domestic sourcing requirements that were enacted as part of the IIJA.
Bluefield's water experts– Reese Tisdale, Eric Bindler, Lauren Balsamo– share their perspectives on the recent water allocations and policy developments, providing companies across the value chain a better understanding of how and where the dollars are flowing.
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Dec 6, 2022
PFAS: Where Is the U.S. Water Market and beyond Headed?
PFAS is the water industry topic du jour, shaped by lawsuits, emerging regulations, infrastructure investment and disadvantaged communities. So far, however, much of the focus has been on the U.S. drinking water sector. But these emerging contaminants are impacting water supplies and, as a result, policy makers in Europe and Australia.
Varied approaches to tackle PFAS exist across the globe, including by regional adoption, nation-wide action, and incremental growth markets.
For this reason, Reese Tisdale speaks with colleagues Keith Hays and Lauren Balsamo to share their perspectives on how cities, communities, and companies are approaching emerging contaminants, globally.
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Nov 22, 2022
What's Behind the Rise in Private Participation in Water?
Shaped by a growing demand for water & wastewater infrastructure investment and an increasingly favorable policy landscape, private participation among U.S. utilities is on the rise. Bluefield's water experts discuss their recent analysis of investor-owned utilities' strategies, highlighting M&A trends and how companies—from American Water to private equity-backed firms—are approaching the water market.
Reese Tisdale is joined by Bluefield water experts Isabel Kezman and Charlie Suse.
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Nov 8, 2022
Which Municipalities Are Driving Climate and Water Sustainability?
Bluefield’s industrial water experts breakdown their recent analysis of 35 large U.S. cities with climate action plans which evaluates greenhouse emissions, energy use, reduction strategies, and water management positions. This discussion provides insight into why more U.S. cities are not developing climate action plans but also the variation in approaches for those cities with mitigation strategies— strategies that are indicators of future shifts in water management.
Reese Tisdale speaks with Amber Walsh about her in-depth analysis of municipal climate action plans and the role of water in their making.
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Oct 25, 2022
Tapping Water Utility Data for Business Strategies
In this episode, our data team discusses Bluefield's utility data and details the journey to collect and inventory 747 capital improvement plans that have been scrubbed and cleaned for Bluefield clients. This discussion provides insights into what the data is, the value of the data, and how Bluefield clients are using this bottom-up, detailed information
Reese Tisdale speaks with John Berryman and Jaime Colón
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Oct 11, 2022
Water M&A, Recent Deals, Trends, and Outlook
The Bluefield team talks mergers and acquisition trends across the global water sector, providing insight into the slow down of deal flow activity. Reese Tisdale and Steph Aldock discusses the impacts of big deals, new market entrants, and the impact of global economic volatility. While it seems like the bottom may have fallen out of the market, positive signals are ahead.
As Reese say, "It will be interesting to see what happens with American companies going abroad because the American dollar is really strong right now."
Key questions asked, include:
* How is M&A Looking this year?
* Why are seeing less deal flow activity?
* Now that the dollar is strong will we see US Company expansion?
* Will recent policy shifts (like IIJA) boost deal flow?
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Sep 27, 2022
Who's messin' with Texas Water Utilities
The Bluefield team discusses their take on private participation in water, breaking down the where and who is leading the way. The discussion builds off of Bluefield’s analysis of investor-owned utilities, contract operations firms, and market analysis.
* What is the share of private utility ownership in the U.S.?
* What is the impact of the Corix/ SouthWest Water deal and how is deal flow overall?
* Why is the Texas market particularly attractive?
* Who are the biggest players?
Reese Tisdale, in addition to being joined by Steph Aldock and Isabel Kezman, also sheds light on his recent attendance at the National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) conference.
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Sep 13, 2022
We've Been Talkin' 'bout Jackson
Bluefield's water experts breakdown the how and what's behind the ongoing water and wastewater crisis in the capital city of Jackson, MS. From drinking water quality issues to infrastructure funding to wastewater challenges, Reese Tisdale discusses the whole convergence of water-related challenges facing water utilities and disadvantaged communities.
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Aug 30, 2022
Water Sector Gatekeepers: Engineering Firms Build Out Digital Water Strategies
Digital technology is everywhere, including for water applications. A lot is happening when it comes to hardware, software, and services. Bluefield water experts dive into the role of engineering firms and discuss market challenges, strategic shifts, spinouts, recent M&A, and strategic announcements by firms active in water.
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Aug 16, 2022
How Will the Inflation Reduction Act Reshape Water Market Opportunities?
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) represents the biggest move by the federal government to address climate change. Not only does it support an energy transition that has been in the making for decades, it opens the door to new tech, new business models, and, for Bluefield, a pivot towards new opportunities in water.
Bluefield water experts take on the IRA and its potential impact on the water industry. From the power and automotive sectors to municipal utilities, approaches to water management and opportunities are forecasted to change through an energy transition that is already underway.
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Jul 26, 2022
The Heat Is On: The State of the Global Water Market
Unusually hot temperatures and droughts are affecting regions all over the world from Europe, South Asia, Iraq to Mexico–particularly affecting agricultural industries. New data from the United Nations shows that the number and duration of droughts are on the rise.
Bluefield's water experts discuss how prolonged droughts will affect water consumption for municipalities, but also for the agricultural and power sectors and give their take on opportunities in water sector investment.
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Jul 12, 2022
Breaking Down the Global Desalination Market
The effects of climate change, population growth, and the rise of industrialization have played a significant role in water scarcity and have had a substantial impact on water demand. Bluefield's water experts discuss findings from their recent analysis of large scale global desalination market, project activity, ownership trends, and technology shifts.
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Jun 21, 2022
Build America, Buy America: What Does It Mean for the Water Sector?
Bluefield’s Reese Tisdale, Eric Bindler, and Greg Goodwin discuss the Build America, Buy America Act and its implications for the water sector in the U.S. While designed to create an opportunity to increase domestic manufacturing, support the creation of jobs, and strengthen U.S. supply chains, it arrives at a time in which inflation and supply chain bottlenecks are of greater concern. Bluefield’s team seeks to lay out the challenges the bill presents and discusses if it just arrived at the wrong time.
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Jun 7, 2022
Milestone Episode: Disruptors, Winners & Losers, and Trends in Water
In this milestone, 50th episode, the Bluefield team looks farther ahead to talk about global disruption, potential winners & losers, and critical trends shaping the future of water.
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May 24, 2022
California Drought, Blackouts, and the End for Desalination?
Bluefield's water experts discuss the mixed signals being received from California, in terms of drought, desalination, and the interconnection between water and power. This discussion identifies the challenges and opportunities for water management, using California as a potential bellwether for the U.S., if not the rest of the world.
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May 3, 2022
Six Trends Shaping the Longer-Term Outlook for Water
Bluefield's water experts discuss key trends shaping water infrastructure, investment, and strategies over the next three to five years, framing the longer-term market outlook for the water sector.
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Apr 19, 2022
Is a Market for Residential Water Reuse Developing?
Reese Tisdale is joined by Bluefield Industrial Water Analyst Amber Walsh to discuss recent analysis on residential water management and reuse. A new group of firms, globally, are emerging to capture household greywater for non-potable applications. But they are also doing so through key, if not critical, partnerships. In this episode, Reese and Amber discuss residential reuse -- the market landscape, emerging players, and business models.
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Apr 5, 2022
Digital Water Trends and Market Review
2021 was a positive year for the water market, overall, with record levels of deals, but the digital water market saw mixed results in M&A and in the VC space. Podcast host, Reese Tisdale, hosts Bluefield's discussion on key trends that impacted digital water in 2021 and opportunities identified expected for the year ahead.
Although, supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, and growing geopolitical tensions pose downside risks, economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and large-scale infrastructure stimulus funding packages across key global water markets should provide strong tailwinds for digital water providers.
If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen.
If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesda…
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Mar 15, 2022
A Closer Look at IIJA and State Revolving Funds
On 8 March 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a memorandum to guide collaborative implementation with state, local, and tribal partners of US$43 billion in water infrastructure funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The EPA’s memo outlines requirements and recommendations for the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs). From disadvantaged communities to state revolving funds, industry players have been awaiting guidance on changes to the well-established program.
In this episode, Podcast host, Reese Tisdale, and Bluefield's Greg Goodwin and Eric Bindler, discuss federal funding for water infrastructure and address key questions that have come our way in recent months.
* What are the baseline factors in the recent EPA memo?
* Why should industry players care?
* What is different?
* What are the challenges or issues with the SRF program?
If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend…
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Mar 1, 2022
Looming Energy Crisis to Squeeze Water & Wastewater Utilities
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine (and the world) will have cascading effects on international energy markets, particularly those more heavily reliant on natural gas, let alone Russian natural gas. The water sector is at risk to energy markets, globally, and is now being compelled to adopt more energy efficient tools and solutions.
This episode, discusses what this conflict might mean for water & wastewater utilities going forward. Host, Reese Tisdale, is joined by Bluefield’s Keith Hays to discuss the potential impacts and changes going forward for water. Not only do they discuss EU constraints on natural gas supplies, they highlight border issues related to water and energy, such as South African power blackouts and Winter storms in Texas.
Key questions addressed:
* What does an energy crisis mean for water utilities and industries?
* Which countries are likely to be most affected?
* What can utilities do to insulate themselves from water / energy risks?
* Does any…
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Feb 1, 2022
Is Household Water Management Overlooked as an Opportunity?
Podcast host, Reese Tisdale, and Bluefield's Senior Analyst Amber Walsh explore potential missed opportunities in household water management. Although domestic water or household water usage represents a small share of the pie, it could represent an enormous opportunity for water management, investment, and advanced data applications. As such, digital water vendors, technology companies, and consumer product companies are looking at opportunities for monitoring, reducing and improving home water use.
Another stakeholder who could be exploring domestic water as opportunity is the homeowner. Listen in on this interesting discussion to learn more about why we should all think deeper about the water we consume in the home.
If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen.
If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysi…
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Jan 18, 2022
Bottled Water Craze Raises Questions about Water Quality & Utility Strategies
In this episode, Bluefield's Keith Hays and Eric Bindler, delves into the canned-water company Liquid Death and the growing questions about bottled water, the incredible size of the bottled water market, and potential risks to water utilities, from perception to customer erosion. At the beginning of 2022, Liquid Death announced that it landed more than US$75 million in funding to expand its footprint. Growth + Water is a good thing in many cases, but Bluefield's water experts raise concerns facing municipal water utilities and about tap water.
If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen.
If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday.
Related Research & Analysis:
* Admist Pandemic, Bottled Water Underscores Utilit…
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Dec 21, 2021
Retrospective: The Biggest Stories in Water in 2021
As we close out 2021, Bluefield digs into the top stories that defined water this past year, for good and bad. We’ll take a look back at how COVID-19 and supply chain disruptions influenced water investment and revisit some predictions for the year that did or did not come to fruition.
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Dec 7, 2021
Workforce Disruption: Who do Utilities Call for Help?
According to an October AWWA survey, key issues facing water sector utilities and service providers in the U.S. and Canada are hiring difficulties and supply chain issues. Hiring, employee turnover, staffing continuity, and chemical supply chain issues are among the list of top challenges. What is the outlook for the water sector and where do utilities…
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Nov 23, 2021
Water Wins Big in Infrastructure Bill
As Congress has seemingly crawled across the finish line for a momentous infrastructure bill, executives in the water sector have expressed some frustration that the total amount of the bill is not enough to take on the myriad of challenges. Bluefield’s Greg Goodwin and Reese Tisdale take a more optimistic and expansive view of the bill…
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Nov 9, 2021
Deals, Deals, Deals
Deal activity in water is climbing. If activity in the Private Water and Digital Water sectors keep pace, as it has historically over the past few years, this year’s transactions in water will surpass 2020’s 368 transactions. Reese Tisdale talks about deals that are interesting to him and what they mean for the water sector:…
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Oct 26, 2021
What Did We Learn at the World's Largest Wastewater Conference?
Bluefield’s digital water expert, Eric Bindler, breaks down his key findings from attending this year’s WEFTEC in Chicago. Eric discusses new product launches from Kando and Schneider Electric, water sector staffing and hiring issues, the potential impact vaccine mandates may have on utility and vendor workforces, and new market entrants.
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Oct 12, 2021
Drought, Floods Disrupt Global Water Sector
The world is in a seemingly crazy and disjointed place, as climate, COVID, and geopolitical issues influence water markets. Bluefield’s water experts address some key trends and events impacting water and global water management giving their perspectives on everything from climate’s role and impact, the water/energy nexus and a potential shift to a fossil fuel generation,…
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Sep 14, 2021
Tight Supply Chains Squeeze the Water Industry
Companies across the water industry are feeling the effects of supply chain constraints, which are creating headwinds even as demand soars from 2020 levels. Key inputs such as plastic resin, iron and steel, copper, and semiconductors have seen double-digit price increases, impacting firms as diverse as pipe OEMs, treatment chemical suppliers, and metering firms. Bluefield’s…
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Aug 31, 2021
Do Droughts Impact Household Water Rates?
For the sixth consecutive year, Bluefield Research has embarked upon an analysis of the water and wastewater rates in the U.S. and the impacts on residential water and wastewater bills. Bluefield’s Erin Bonney Casey shares her perspective on her recent analysis of utility water rates and potential impacts of drought on customer water bills. The…
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Aug 17, 2021
How Have Water Utilities Fared from COVID?
Reliance on data played a fundamental role in helping utilities understand and manage the impacts of COVID-19. From utilities devising new customer communication strategies to the future of the utility business model, Bluefield’s Digital Water Research Director, Eric Bindler, discusses key findings from attending this year’s Utility Management Conference in Atlanta… Water news… Reese also…
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Jul 27, 2021
A Review: State of the Water Industry
The American Water Works Association just released its 2021 State of the Water Industry report which presents the findings of a survey of 3,021 water industry professionals. The survey is designed to identify key challenges in the water industry and their underlying drivers and causes. Despite the significant disruption in the water sector over the last year, the study indicates there is a rise in optimism among industy leaders. The Bluefield team provides their insights to frame recent industry trends, opportunities that lie ahead, and the optimism shared in the report. Related:
* PFAS, The Next Challenge for Water Utilities: Emerging Regulations, Technologies, and Forecasts, 2020-2030
* Lead Service Lines and Water Infrastructure: Sizing the Market and Drivers for Rehabilitation
Reese Tisdale
President
Bluefield Research
Eric Bindler
Research Director
Digital Water
Erin Bonney Casey
Research Director
Municipal Water
The Future of Water podcast series is…
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Jul 13, 2021
The "Amazon Effect" on Water
The broader impact of connectivity, online commerce, and door-to-door delivery cannot be overlooked. Amazon garners the most attention, but it is not alone in shaping this new paradigm that has accelerated over the last year. From food for dinner to toilet paper, it is all being delivered in some form of packaging. Like anything, yes, anything, the impact on water usage is changing in parallel.
Bluefield’s Cullen Mitchell joins host Reese Tisdale to discuss the “Amazon effect” and its indirect impact on water for the pulp & paper sector, plastic manufacturing, and corporate sustainability. Water news…
Reese also shares his thoughts on recent news and highlights why these headlines matter and what they could mean for the water sector.
* Platinum Equity’s acquisition of Solenis, the global producer of specialty chemicals used in water-intensive industries
* Acquisition of an existing 220-mile pipeline, the Cadiz “Northern Pipeline from El Paso Natural Gas (“EPNG”)…
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Jun 29, 2021
Does California Deserve All the Drought Shaming?
It has only been a couple of years since California emerged from the last drought (2011-2019). Now it, alongside neighboring states, has been thrust into a seemingly worse situation than before. The alarm bells are ringing loud and clear, but what does it really mean? Host Reese Tisdale shares a couple of facts and thoughts on the drought and what this might mean for California, the region, and stakeholders.
* It’s not just California. The entire West is smoking red hot, but there are some things the rest of the country could learn from California.
* What came out of the state’s previous drought which lasted roughly seven long years, from December 2011 to March 2019?
* Technology and solutions exist. Related:
* Semiconductor Fabs Seek Water Sustainability
* Global Desalination Ownership Rankings: Market and Company Trends, 2020
* Corporate Sustainability Targets: Water Management Trends across Ten Key Industries
Reese Tisdale
President
Bluefield Research
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Jun 15, 2021
What We Think about... When We Think about Water
Rather than focus on the nuts and bolts of the water industry, Bluefield shares broader market trends that are exciting our team. In this discussion, our water experts examine seven key factors shaping the outlook of water management. From the Internet of things to the future of agriculture, the team looks at global drivers of change impacting water sector– municipal and industrial. Market forces that impacted our outlook include COVID disruption of business models, political shifts, and changing consumer behaviors.
This episode draws from Bluefield’s recent webcast. Related:
* Will Big Tech Disrupt the Water Sector?
* Are Homes Getting Smarter with Real-Time Water Management?
* Corporate Sustainability Targets: Water Management Trends across Ten Key Industries
* COVID-19 Wastewater Analysis Gains Traction
Reese Tisdale
President
Bluefield Research
John Berryman
Sales Director
Bluefield Research
Keith Hays
Vice President
Bluefield Research
The Future…
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Jun 1, 2021
Telecom Strategies Emerge at the Center of Digital Water
Data and the Internet of things are giving rise to a more notable group of influential companies in water: Telecommunications firms. By providing the essential “rails” for data transmission and connectivity between utility systems, assets, and companies, telecoms are poised to increasingly leverage their unique positions at the center of the digitization of water.
While utility needs vary, municipal water utilities and industry become more sophisticated in their adoption of digital solutions, telecoms also see it as an opportunity to capture new sources of revenue – as their core services become commoditized.
As Bluefield’s Digital Water team wrap-ups their analysis for an upcoming report, Connecting Water Infrastructure: Telecom Company Strategies in the Global Digital Water Market, they present key findings of their telecoms research in this discussion.
* What is the role of telecoms in water today?
* How do water utilities, in particular, use telecom services?
* How…
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May 18, 2021
Cloud Solutions Opening Door to Smaller Water Utilities
A key factor driving the rapid growth of the global digital water market is the more mainstream adoption of cloud computing, according to Bluefield Research Director, Eric Bindler. While cloud- and SaaS-based solutions were first popularized in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the water industry has only recently begun to embrace them.
Captivating industry suppliers is the potential impact cloud computing has in penetrating smaller, more technologically risk-averse utilities. The limited need for onsite servers, tech personnel, and data management capabilities throws open the door of opportunity, enabling vendors to seek growth beyond the larger utilities. In many instances, the real need for efficiency improvements and better asset management is found in smaller communities, where capital and technology aversion represents a significant barrier to entry.
Bluefield water experts also discuss the just-announced digital platforms announcements by TetraTech and Stantec. Arcadis also gets…
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May 4, 2021
Veolia and Suez Come to Terms, Redefining "Big Water"
For eight months Suez has pushed back against advances from Veolia in public via press releases, poison pills, and the entertainment of other suitors. However, on the 12th of April, Veolia and Suez announced that they have reached an agreement for a merger putting an end to the disputed takeover. The deal, which closes 14 May 2021, gives Suez an equity value of about €13 billion (US$15.4 billion). The combined entity will have approximately €37 billion (US$44.5 billion) in revenues.
Reese Tisdale is joined by Bluefield’s global water team Keith Hays, Vice President, and France-based Project Consultant Chloé Meyer to talk about the details of the merger, cultural issues, divestments, geographic strategies, and what the impacts and opportunities for the water sector might be. Water news…
Reese shares his thoughts on the biggest water headlines.
* Kimberly-Clark Corp. reaches settlement over its so-called “flushable” wipes.
* Franklin Electric announces its acquisitio…
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Apr 20, 2021
What’s the Outlook for Fixing America’s Lead Water Pipes?
It is finally “infrastructure week.” The Biden administration has proposed its US$2.2 trillion American Jobs Plan. Sure, the Biden plan is a wish list, but one thing that stands out for the water sector is the US$45 billion to tackle lead service lines. It is a well-documented, open secret that drinking water for millions of people is tainted with lead. For so long, no one has wanted to pay for this and there has been no documentation of the size of the problem, and now…. the world is bright.
Bluefield’s Reese Tisdale and Greg Goodwin discuss how big the problem is, the geographic impacts, and the types of companies and solutions positioning to solve the problem. Water news…
Reese also shares his thoughts on recent news and highlights why these headlines matter and what they could mean for the water sector.
* NW Natural Water Company recent acquisitions and agreements
* Veolia /Suez SA end to the disputed takeover
* Japan announces plans to release treated wastewater…
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Apr 6, 2021
Water Stress Undermines Global Supply Chains
Water touches almost every product, so it’s worth considering it as a critical input to every strategic supply chain decision. Climate issues continue to ripple through global industrial supply chains – from Texas to Taiwan. The combination of COVID-related shutdowns and drought is upending the industrial landscape. If anything, recent, water-related events show us how important it is to have a coherent water management strategy for today… and tomorrow. Even if your firm is not directly at risk, your supply chain very well might be.
Bluefield’s Reese Tisdale and Cullen Mitchell discuss some of the factors and risks associated with water, climate, and disruptions that will reshape global supply chains. Water news…
Reese also shares his thoughts on recent news and highlights why these headlines matter and what they could mean for the water sector.
* $111 billion for water infrastructure
* Kickstart to the power sectors and what does this mean for water?
* Transportatio…
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Mar 23, 2021
World Water Day
In honor of World Water Day (March 22), this episode is dedicated to raising awareness of the value of water. We took this opportunity to have a conversation to call your attention to water, what it means to you, how society can better protect this vital resource, and how Bluefield Research falls into that landscape.
John Berryman interviews Bluefield President, Reese Tisdale, about the journey of Bluefield Research, why water, how has the water sector changed since 2013, does Bluefield have a responsibility to educate on big picture water issues impacting society, and more. Related:
* We Need Infrastructure. Let’s Not Forget about Water
* Reflecting on the State of America’s Municipal Water Sector
Reese Tisdale
President
Bluefield Research
John Berryman
Sales Director
Bluefield Research
The Future of Water podcast series is where Bluefield water experts talk about all the ways in which companies, utilities, and people are addressing the challenges and opportun…
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Mar 9, 2021
Special Episode: Big Acquisitions in Water Are a Big Deal
In response to three recent billion-dollar water deals, Bluefield is releasing a special episode of The Future of Water—to help our listeners break down what this growing interest in water means.
Bluefield’s Reese Tisdale and Keith Hays discuss what has fundamentally changed in the market that makes water more attractive for investment now, characteristics of the recent megadeals, and what these transactions might mean for the water sector going forward.
* New Mountain Capital acquired Aegion Corporation for $963 million
* Autodesk made the long-awaited acquisition of Innovyze for $1 billion
* Quikrete is buying pipe supplier Forterra, Inc. for $2.74 billion Related:
* Innovyze to be acquired by Autodesk
* Quikrete is buying Irving’s Forterra for $2.74 billion and taking it private
* Aegion Enters Into Definitive Agreement to be Acquired by Affiliates of New Mountain Capital
* Idiots or geniuses? It’s Autodesk’s choice
Reese Tisdale
President
Blue…
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Mar 9, 2021
Is Texas Water Crisis a Harbinger of Climate Risk?
This discussion delves into the water crisis in Texas, climate, and what climatic events could mean for sustainable water management going forward. Over the last two weeks, Texas has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. More than 14 million people have been impacted by a freeze-out that was catalyzed by a failure of the energy and power sectors. The result has been water main breaks, boil water advisories, and flooded homes.
The Texas blackout of 2021 is not a 100-year event. Bluefield’s Reese Tisdale and Erin Bonney Casey consider what has happened in the Lone Star State and how it signals real concerns for the future. Industry, municipalities, and water sector stakeholders will be forced to take water management into their own hands. Water news…
Reese shares his thoughts on the biggest water headlines.
* Autodesk acquired Innovyze for $1 billion, Quikrete acquired Forterra for 2.74 billion, New Mountain Acquires Aegion for $963 million.
* American Society of Civil…
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Feb 23, 2021
Digging into the Aegion/New Mountain Megadeal
Digging into the water sector’s latest megadeal between Aegion and New Mountain Capital. Aegion Corporation, a provider of infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation, and protection solutions announced that it has accepted an offer to be acquired by private equity (PE) firm New Mountain Capital. The transaction, valued at approximately US$963 million, represents a second big step for the PE firm after recently acquiring utility contract operation services provider Inframark.
The convergence of financial stress and aging pipe infrastructure for water & wastewater utilities presents a unique opportunity for trenchless technology solutions providers to expand their market positions.
In this discussion:
* Details of the deal
* What is cured-in-place pipe and what are the benefits?
* Who is New Mountain Capital? Water news…
Reese also shares his thoughts on the fraying interconnection between critical infrastructure segments (water, power, gas) that is on full display in Texa…
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Feb 9, 2021
Will a Biden Administration Really Impact Water Sector Investment?
Out of the gates the new president, emboldened by a slim majority in the Senate and House of Representatives, has begun laying out a roadmap for change in infrastructure investment and environmental policy. The Biden administration has touched upon climate, lead & copper, water quality, and infrastructure and the outlook for change is positive. In this episode, the Bluefield team provides their insights on what this new administration means for water sector investment as well as the not to be forgotten headwinds we currently face—COVID, municipal budgets, and employment. Water news…
Reese also shares his thoughts on recent news and highlights why these headlines matter and what they could mean for the water sector.
* Congressional PFAS Task Force has been relaunched
* Nevada is in severe drought
* Doosan lands another desal contract
Related:
* Global Desalination Ownership Rankings: Market and Company Trends, 2020
* PFAS, The Next Challenge for Water Utilities: Em…
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Jan 26, 2021
Are Municipalities Benefitting from Fair Market Value Legislation?
On average, Bluefield’s team of water experts tracks more than 125 utility acquisitions per year. Reese Tisdale talks to Bluefield Analyst Mariel Marchand about utility acquisitions and the impact of Fair Market Value policies and legislation on M&A activity. Bluefield’s quarterly analysis of deal flow and buyers and sellers allows for a well-rounded discussion on private water and the outlook for more activity among established, frontrunning players and new(er) market entrants. Water news…
Reese also shares his thoughts on recent news and highlights why these headlines matter and what they could mean for the water sector.
* Black & Veatch’s divestment of Atonix
* Badgers acquisition of ATI
* Veolia gets a challenge for Suez
Related:
* Badger Meter Moves Upstream with s::can
* Engineering a Digital Water Future: EPC Strategies in an Accelerating Market Landscape
* Is Veolia Suez Marriage Good for the Water Sector?
Reese Tisdale
President
Bluefield…
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Jan 10, 2021
New Year Episode: Biggest Headlines, Challenges, and Trends Influencing Global Water
In Bluefield's first podcast of the year, Reese Tisdale, Eric Bindler, and Erin Bonney Casey reflect on some of last year's biggest water headlines, discuss future challenges, and identify top trends influencing global water markets. While 2020 was unusual, to say the least, the new year ushers in an altered landscape for water solutions providers, investors, organizations addressing water as an opportunity (or risk). The impacts of climate, Big Tech, water quality, and recession loom large. This discussion sums up Bluefield's take on...
* Top, water headlines of 2020
* Biggest, ongoing challenges ahead
* Key trends to look for in 2021 Water news...
Reese also shares his thoughts on recent news and highlights why these headlines matter and what they could mean for the water sector.
* Inframark’s new owner
* Black & Veatch's divestment of its UK water business
* The potential impacts of a democratic controlled House and Senate in the U.S. Congress. Select companies me…
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Dec 21, 2020
Water for Power: The Remaking of the Electricity Landscape and its Impact on Water
Reese Tisdale and Bluefield Analyst Cullen Mitchell discuss the impacts of a changing energy landscape and its impact on water management. Over the last decade, the advent of shale oil & gas exploration, renewables, and battery power have upended traditional system structures and the opportunities for water services and solutions providers. Now, the emerging interest in electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered fleets, and power generation is a reality. Underlying this change is a set of policies and concerns about climate change. Cullen shares some insights from his recent research and brainstorms with Reese about how the world of water could change going forward.
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Dec 7, 2020
Are Homes Getting Smarter with Real-time Water Management?
Reese Tisdale and Eric Bindler talk about the future of water management within the home. Newly announced strategic partnerships between Moen subsidiary Flo and Lennar signal growing potential for the niche market. Prior to the pandemic, the residential digital water segment had seen a flurry of activity among water entrepreneurs. Bluefield water experts discuss the COVID-related market slowdown for residential digital water startups and how the growing role of big tech firms like Amazon and Google in the home also presents a potential for disruption, which could, as well, impact water utilities and insurance company strategies. In this Podcast
* The strategic partnership of Moen Inc. and Lennar Corp. to deploy smart home water management & leak detection systems in newly built Lennar homes.
* Smart home players partnering with homeowner insurance firms.
* Are solutions providers competing with utilities?
* What slow adoption of smart water technologies could mean for utilitie…
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Nov 30, 2020
Brazil Looks to Private Participation in Water
Bluefield’s Reese Tisdale and Keith Hays discuss Brazil’s municipal water market and the implications for new policies launched to invite private participation. The mercurial Latin American economy has attracted a number of companies willing to ride a wave of opportunity that is not for the risk-averse.
Over 200 Brazilian municipalities are already served by fully private company concessions serving nearly 10 million people. Since 2018 the federal government has pursued privatization of several major water and sewer systems (e.g., Alagoas, Rio de Janeiro) via concessions.
Approved Bill PL 4.162 mandates that all municipalities in Brazil reach universal water and sewer access between 2033 and 2040 and obligates state and local water companies to prove their financial capacity to do so. If executed, this will bring sweeping change to ownership of the country’s municipal water networks and introduce hundreds of billions in investment funding. In this podcast:
* Why the water in…
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Nov 10, 2020
The Role of Private Equity in Water
Over the last 8 to 12 months, the number of private equity (PE) companies coming to Bluefield for support has increased exponentially. Bluefield President Reese Tisdale and Consulting Director Keith Hays discuss why private equity is turning to water, what they are investing in, and how Bluefield sees this playing out. Also discussed, the hot topic of the 2020 presidential election and how the outcome may impact the water industry. In this podcast:
* Why the water sector and shifts happening in water
* Deal size, a challenge for PE firms?
* Anatomy of deal origination
* Outlook for PE firms in water
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Oct 26, 2020
Playing Devil's Advocate – What’s the Outlook for Municipal Water Infrastructure Investment?
Bluefield’s team of water experts discusses infrastructure investment and whether the market is heading up, down, or sideways. Some water industry pundits have said the pandemic is much ado about nothing. However, the Bluefield team doesn't share this level of optimism, in fact, the team's optimism at the start of the pandemic has eroded over the last six months because of extended state quarantines, remaining high unemployment, and mercurial, if not incoherent, U.S. federal guidance.
Last month, the Bluefield team presented its updated water sector forecasts in light of COVID-19, global economic uncertainty, industrial demand, and macroeconomic changes. As a number of Bluefield clients have questioned our assumptions about the historical, recessionary data and dynamic macroeconomic inputs that we use in our research, this discussion sheds light on conversations we are having at Bluefield Research.
Reese Tisdale, Erin Bonney Casey, and Mariel Marchand come clean about why they thi…
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Oct 5, 2020
Seeing Double, The Rise of the Digital Twins in Water
Reese Tisdale and the Bluefield team of water experts discuss Digital Twins—hype or reality—and what the future holds. While the concept of virtual clones of operating assets (e.g., treatment plants, pumps, pipe networks) has been around for more than two decades, their applications are only recently gaining momentum in the broader water sector.
Keith, Eric, and Reese talk about the signposts that indicate growth, the competitive landscape, and how companies are positioning in this burgeoning market segment.
In this podcast:
* What are digital twins?
* Who are the companies driving this momentum and what are their approaches?
* What are the pitfalls or challenges?
* What are we monitoring in the market when it comes to this concept?
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Sep 21, 2020
Is Veolia Suez Marriage Good for the Water Sector?
In this episode, Reese Tisdale sits down with Bluefield Vice President Keith Hays to talk about what we call "Big Water." Veolia and Suez, two of the largest water solutions providers in the world are in merger negotiations again, and Reese and Keith discuss their perspectives on the proposed deal and companies themselves. They also get into whether a marriage between the two water behemoths is a good, or bad, thing for the water industry.
In late August, Veolia made an unsolicited offer to purchase French rival Suez. Veolia offered to buy a 29.9% stake in Suez from Engie SA, the first step toward a full takeover to create a water and wastewater treatment company with more than 40 billion euros in revenue. And it's not the first time, Suez tried acquiring Veolia back in 2012.
In this podcast:
* What would a potential Suez/Veolia deal mean for innovation?
* How is Veolia getting ahead of any government pushback?
* Are there other suitors or stalking horses?
* How might thi…
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Sep 8, 2020
Prepare to Fill Up Your Bathtubs
Bluefield water experts get into the hot topic of natural disasters and related water & wastewater infrastructure management. Since 1980 the number of these disasters has steadily increased. From 1980 to 2019, the U.S has sustained 258 climate-related events. These resource-intensive events include hurricanes, flooding, winter storms, and wildfires which bring on more acute challenges for cities and municipalities.
In this podcast:
* Big picture risks to water utilities and the implications of a failure to the power grid
* Workforce and crisis management and contingency plans
* Critical institutional knowledge and workforce redundancies
* Mission-critical communications strategies
* Learning from past disaster-related damage to water resources and assets
* Bluefield's take on preparedness
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Aug 11, 2020
Let's Make a Deal
It's all about deal flow and recent M&A activity in the water sector. Bluefield's Eric Bindler and Mariel Marchand share their perspectives on utility acquisitions, utility O&M, and digital water transactions in what can be considered a new environment, even for water. While talking about broader trends, some of the companies discussed include Aquatic Informatics, Danaher, XPV, and Veolia.
Questions raised in the discussion:
- What is the state of the market and drivers for deal flow?
- Do we think more deals are in the making?
- What's the role of private equity in deal flow?
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Jul 30, 2020
Can Wastewater Save Lives?
In this episode, we discuss the hot topic of wastewater epidemiology and the heightened role it plays in our world today. Keith Hays, Vice President of Bluefield Research, discusses his latest research on pinpoint detection of pathogens and contagions in wastewater and the potential economic & healthcare benefits it could bring to society.
Key questions addressed:
* What companies are leading the charge in wastewater testing?
* Who is having success and who is moving along the path towards commercialization?
* What is involved in this testing to be deployed and what is the timeframe?
* What trends should we be keeping an eye on moving forward?
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Jun 30, 2020
Money, Money, Money: Revenue Declines and Water Investment
In this episode, it's all about money, that is, how exposed are utilities, their budgets, and spending in a recession? Erin Bonney Casey, Research Director for Bluefield, answers key financial questions about public utilities, which serve about 85% of the total market.
-Where do public utilities get their money?
-Are there ways in which short-term operating expenses and long-term capital expenses (OPEX and CAPEX) funding sources differ?
-What's the deal with State Revolving Funds?
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Jun 19, 2020
Breaking and Entering- Water Sector Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is the issue of the day. We sit down with Eric Bindler, Research Director for digital water, to talk cybersecurity, water infrastructure, and industry concerns. We're talking with Eric Bindler, Research Director for Bluefield's Digital Water Insight service.
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Jun 19, 2020
Toilet Paper Costs More Than Oil
Is toilet paper more expensive than oil? Sure feels like it these days. This episode is all about water for energy, the oil patch, and the impacts of geopolitics, pandemics, and recession. Yikes! Get Bluefield analyst Nathan Goldstein's take on the state of things.
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Jun 19, 2020
Crisis Leads to Digital Acceleration
It’s all about digital water spending, forecasts, and implications of a recession. Bluefield's Digital Water Expert, Eric Bindler, will tackle the following key questions and more:
-Is the shift to remote workforces and monitoring a catalyst for change
-Does all this disruption change Bluefield's perspective?
-What’s next? And Is there a silver lining somewhere in the value chain
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Jun 19, 2020
Get Smart in Water
It’s all about municipal water spending, forecasts, and implications of a recession. Bluefield's Erin Bonney Casey will address these questions and more:
* Will the market collapse in coming weeks, months years?
* Who might be best insulated from the impacts of Covid-19?
* What’s next? And Is there a silver lining somewhere in the value chain?
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Jun 19, 2020
Future of Water (Trailer)
Introducing The Future of Water, Bluefield's new podcast series, where we talk about all the ways in which companies, utilities, and people are addressing the challenges and opportunities in water. Have a listen!
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